Source: www.hdb.gov.sg
For many who are renting in Singapore, having good amenities nearby is the one of the important factors in their decision making along with affordability. But can you live near good amenities without paying sky-high rentals?
We will look at 3 HDB estates with easy access to the following amenities:
Retail and lifestyle
MRT and LRT stations
Education
Recreation
Toa Payoh
First on the list will have to be Toa Payoh. This centrally located estate is definitely one of the most sought after rental locations as it has easy access to almost every part of Singapore.
Toa Payoh currently has an estimated 38,000* flats, housing approximately 105,000* residents. Served by the Central Expressway (CTE) and the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), driving to anywhere in Singapore is a breeze. For non-drivers, there is the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange, the first air-conditioned bus interchange built in Singapore. It is part of an integrated transport hub linking the Toa Payoh MRT station and the HDB Hub.
Source: NParks, MyActiveSG, HDB Gov
Lifestyle and retail amenities can be found at the Toa Payoh Shopping mall, which is a combination of the shopping area in the HDB Hub and the rows of shophouses next to it. Here you will find eateries serving all kinds of local food, supermarkets, retail shops and clinics.
Schools in this estate include the CHIJ Primary and Secondary Schools, First Toa Payoh Primary School, Kheng Cheng School and the Beatty Secondary School among others.
For sports and recreation, there is the Toa Payoh Stadium, Toa Payoh Sports Hall and Swimming Complex. Nature lovers can enjoy the 4.8 hectare Toa Payoh Town Park. With a large pavilion, landscaped pond, rustic-looking gazebos and amenities such as open-concept restrooms, the park still retains its charm and beauty, and is a great place for families to gather for recreation.
Families can take an enjoyable stroll or jog around the park on the brightly coloured pathways. Alternatively, they can sit at the gazebos under the willow trees and admire the cascading pools at the edge of the pond, the fountain pool around the observation tower and the trellises with climbing plants.
Rentals in this estate go for as low as $790. Click HERE to view the best Toa Payoh rentals.
Bishan
Two MRT stations away from Toa Payoh station is the Bishan MRT Station, and Bishan is our second recommended estate. Bishan MRT station is linked to the Bishan Bus Interchange and the Junction 8 Shopping Mall, which makes living in this estate very convenient.
There are about 21,000* HDB flats with approximately 64,000* residents in Bishan.
Source: CapitaLand, Wikipedia, Rice Media
This estate also is home to 3 of the top educational institutions in Singapore, namely Raffles Institution, Ai Tong Primary School and Catholic High School. Other schools include Guangyang Primary and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary schools.
Just a short walk from Bishan MRT is the Bishan Harmony Park, a decent- sized skate park with all the essentials. There's plenty of flat concrete space which is perfect for beginners who are taking the board for the first time or more experienced skaters to nail more complex tricks. There is also a large bowl and ramps for the enthusiasts to practice their more difficult moves.
Families will enjoy the Bishan Park, one of the largest urban parks in Singapore at 62 hectares and stretching over 3 km. With open lawns and gently sloping grassy banks along either side of a river, families can have picnics and gatherings while enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of the waterways. It is also home to a wide array of interesting fauna and flora, making it ideal for nature lovers. Fitness enthusiasts can cycle or jog along the well-maintained tracks, accompanied by the soothing babble of the river.
You can start renting in Bishan for as low as $600. Check out property listings in Bishan HERE.
Punggol
Punggol was developed as ‘A Waterfront Town of the 21st Century’ and in 2010, Punggol was selected for development as Singapore's first Eco-Town, to enhance the living environment in its estates and encourage residents to do their part for the environment.
The vision for waterfront living was realised with the development of housing projects along Punggol Waterway such as Waterway Terraces I and II, and Waterway Ridges. With approxiamately 50,000 flats and more being built, this a an estate that in rapidly growing.
Served by the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) and the Tampines Expressway (TPE), driving into downtown CDB or Orchard Area takes only about 20 minutes. The Punggol MRT station is linked to the Punggol Bus Interchange and Waterway Point, a four-storey retail and lifestyle hub. Waterway Point offers a diverse range of retail, dining, entertainment and education offerings and is considered to be the flagship waterfront leisure destination for Punggol’s residents and visitors from across the island.
Source: First Stop Singapore, Yoga Inc., NParks, Wikipedia
Schools in Punggol include the popular Mee Toh School, Edgefield Primary and Secondary Schools, Greendale Primary and Secondary Schools and Punggol View Primary School.
Outdoor enthusiasts will get to enjoy not one but two nature parks in The Punggol Park and The Punggol Waterway Park. Punggol Park was developed with the theme "Family Leisure", and has facilities and activities for the whole family to enjoy. With an “Active Zone” located at the southern part of the pond and “Passive Zone” at the north of the pond, there is something for both young and old to enjoy. The shady trees provide a lush, cool area for families to picnic under while bicycle tracks allow avid cyclists to enjoy a session of cycling with friends. There is also something for anglers, who can look forward to hooking their next catch at the park’s fishing promenades located around the 5-hectare pond.
Punggol Waterway Park stretches 8.4 km and is a great place to enjoy a fun-filled day of leisure activities. The park is segmented into four different themes: Nature Cove, Recreation Zone, Heritage Zone and Green Gallery.
Fitness enthusiasts can jog or cycle on the well-maintained tracks along the promenade at both sides of the waterway while admiring the surrounding view. There is also a water playground for kids looking for a wet-and-wild day of fun. Alternatively, sit on the many benches placed around the park and enjoy the breeze as you listen to the soothing sounds of running, trickling, splashing and cascading water. While doing so, look out for the various types of birds that can be spotted along the Waterway.
You can rent in Punggol for as low as $900, click HERE for a list of available properties for occupancy.
Do you know of any other Singaporean estate that are close to good amenities while also being budget-friendly? Find out on MOGUL.sg's intuitive search platform by defining your criteria in terms of location, amenities and budget. Start browsing for properties now.
*Source from HDB data
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